A popular theological vulgarism just now, in various circles of contemporary Adventism, is what has become known as the “proof text method” of Bible study.
Read MoreCounterculturally Christian
Winston Churchill once said that if you have enemies, it means you’ve stood up for something in your life. Sadly, many Christians view the hatred of the world as something to be avoided. We are afraid to appear too “radical” and thus “scare away” unbelievers. We are all too willing to compromise for the sake of “inclusiveness,” and we are paying the price.
Read MorePersonal and Social Piety: Why Both Matter
The gospel of Holy Scripture embraces the total universe of human conduct, whether personal or social. Where Christians have gotten into trouble at times is when one area of moral responsibility is dwelt upon to the neglect of the other.
Read MoreMeasure of a Man
Recently I decided to click one of those (mostly annoying) suggested links proffered to a user while browsing the web. This took me to a short clip taken from the Start Trek television series. It covers a conversation between Captain Jean-Luc Picard and a character named Data, an android officer aboard the space ship. The captain wishes to convince Data to submit to a procedure which would hopefully allow more androids of his caliber to be created, to the greater benefit of humanity.
Read MoreLast Generation Theology and the Homosexual Debate
What do LGT (Last Generation Theology) and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) have in common?
Read MoreFilm Review: Journey Interrupted
On Thursday, February 16, the film Journey Interrupted was broadcasted on 3ABN. On Sunday, February 19, it will be broadcasted again at 3:00 PM Central Time. I highly recommend this film—it is relevant to those who have questions about how Christianity and homosexuality ought to relate to each other, of course, but it is also a ray of light and clarity amidst an overwhelming flood of confusion, and an amazing testament to all sinners of the saving power of the Gospel.
Read MoreWhy Conservative Denominations are Still Growing
A recent article in the Washington Post offers continued evidence of the growth in membership experienced by theologically conservative Christian denominations, in addition to the continuing decline in membership experienced by those churches that have embraced theological liberalism.
Read MoreGYC 2016
The 15th GYC (Generation of Youth for Christ) conference was held in Houston, Texas, from December 28, 2016, to January 1, 2017. There were about 5,000 people in attendance on Sabbath. GYC has grown from just 400 people in 2002 to many thousands in the past few years.
Read MoreOn Conspiracy Theories
“We should present sound arguments, that will not only silence our opponents, but will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny...” – Counsels to Writers and Editors, pg. 40
Read MoreSages and Wages
Don’t seek out the sages
Who say, “aim for wages”
Education's sage pages
Say "aim for the ages."
Ezekiel's Prophetic Temple
One of the most neglected portions of prophetic scripture is the temple vision recorded in the final chapters of the book of Ezekiel. But this vision is one that the church can no longer afford to ignore because it is also divinely linked to both the Sabbath and the Jubilee. As a depiction of the end-time church it illustrates what the church, spiritual Israel, is to become under the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Read MoreTwo Misleading Premises that can Hinder Reform
For those through the years who have sought to bring revival and reformation to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, two misleading theories—among others we could mention—have tended at critical times to dampen the courage and impede the resolve of the striving faithful.
Read MoreMene, Mene, Tekel: Weighing Climate Change, Pope Francis, and Vegetarianism
Over the last few decades, discussion of “environmental” issues has increased greatly. Perhaps the most contentious argument has been the reality or not of climate change. Due to the fact that this issue is not really the most important topic needing solving, I have refused to address this in my public presentations. But because of the recent Papal encyclical LAUDATO SI, this has become a pressing issue for many people. But is the crisis real? And is the Catholic Church’s proposed cure worse than the disease? Does Pope Francis have a hidden agenda that affects you and your faith? What is the truth of climate change, the Pope’s solutions, and our response to this issue? I have decided to tackle the science and politics involved and hopefully provide an Adventist perspective to this debate.
Read MoreChrist and Christmas
At about this time every year, the question arises in various circles as to what role the celebration of the Christmas season should play in the experience of Seventh-day Adventist Christians. There are those who believe that because of the holiday’s pagan origin and commercial exploitation, Christians should have little or nothing to do with it. In my ministry I have occasionally encountered devout souls among us who piously—and no doubt sincerely—insist that they don’t “do Christmas” in their homes or families.
Read MoreThe Brinsmead Heresy and Last Generation Theology, Part 3
In this third installment of our series on the heresy taught by Robert Brinsmead during the 1960s—which, as we have seen, attempted to combine the classic Adventist paradigm many call Last Generation Theology with the doctrine of original sin as taught by Augustine and the magisterial Reformers—we will consider what is taught by the inspired writings regarding preparation for the end-time sealing, an event inspired writings place just before the close of probation. We will especially consider whether, according to the inspired pen, the sealing/latter rain experience involves any change in the believer beyond a settling and confirmation of an experience already possessed.
Read MoreEditorial by Jay Gallimore on Annual Council
Jay Gallimore, president of the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, wrote this editorial on the recent decision of the Annual Council. Many have construed the events at Annual Council as a further attack by conservatives on women's ordination. In this editorial, however, Pastor Gallimore shows what the real issue is, and why it is so important for the church to deal with it.
Read MoreThe Brinsmead Heresy and Last Generation Theology, Part 2
In the first installment of this series, we reviewed the unique twist given to the classic Adventist understanding of Last Generation Theology by the teachings of one Robert Brinsmead, during the so-called Awakening movement he led during the 1960s. We noted that this twist was based on Brinsmead’s attempt to unite this classic Adventist teaching with what is known in Christian theology as the doctrine of original sin. This doctrine, as we also noted, teaches that the sinful nature human beings inherit at birth is the same as sin itself—that human beings, in other words, are born sinners.
Read MoreNew Comment Policy
Here at ADvindicate, it is our goal to articulate and promote the distinctive doctrines, worship principles, and lifestyle standards of classic Seventh-day Adventism, as set forth in the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White, and the Fundamental Beliefs of the Church, and to present, establish, and strengthen faith in the distinctive message of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. To further this mission, and to keep discussions in the comments sections of the articles as civil, gracious, and productive as possible, we are updating our comment policy.
Read MoreThe Brinsmead Heresy and Last Generation Theology
Many are familiar with Ellen White’s statement, “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history” (1). Unfortunately, a few contemporary Adventists in the conservative theological camp are seeking to revive a heresy many today probably don’t remember—the teachings of Robert Brinsmead during the 1960s, which attempted to marry the doctrine of original sin, as taught by many of the Protestant Reformers, to the classic Adventist doctrine of a perfected final generation hastening the return of Jesus.
Read MoreLast Thoughts Before Facing the Ballot Box
The 2016 Presidential Election is coming up fast. Some have already voted early, such as myself. Some are convinced that these elections are the most significant to date, certainly among the most recent Presidential elections that come to mind. There is truth to this; every American Presidential election, and minor election, has the more significance the closer we come to the Second Coming of Christ, especially with what we know about the role of America in Bible prophecy.
Read More